KCSE exam results out in 10 days, says PS
Education PS Belio Kipsang addresses the press at Uhuru Na Kazi Building on January 2, 2025 in Mombasa County.
What you need to know:
- Knec is also analysing the results of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), which was undertaken by learners in Grade 6 ahead of their transition to junior school in January 2025.
- The Nation has also established that Knec is taking its time to carefully analyse the KCSE results following concerns raised by some examiners over malpractices in the tests.
The Education Ministry has allayed fears over delays in the release of the 2024 Form Four exam results, as the national exams council races to wrap up the analysis of scores and grades.
Basic Education Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang on Thursday said there are no delays in the release of the outcome of Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education tests, insisting that the timelines are the same as in 2023.
Dr Kipsang said for two years running, the Kenya National Examinations Council (Knec) has been releasing results in January.
Speaking in Mombasa during an education tour in readiness for school reopening next week, Dr Kipsang denied claims that the results have been delayed to allow manipulation in favour of giant national schools.
"This is the second year we are releasing results at the beginning of the year because...you know the trouble with all of us is that when we release in December all of us say we are hurrying to release results. But we decided to take time to ensure all issues and everything is done to ensure smooth release of results," said Dr Kipsang.
"But what is different this year is that we did not have the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), so it's like something is missing. But we are releasing results within the next 10 days.”
Last year’s KCSE candidature was the largest in the history of the examinations, whose marking was concluded almost a month ago.
A source at Knec intimated that the huge number of candidates had played a role in the time taken to analyse the results.
Knec is also analysing the results of the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KPSEA), which was undertaken by learners in Grade 6 ahead of their transition to junior school in January 2025.
The Nation has also established that Knec is taking its time to carefully analyse the KCSE results following concerns raised by some examiners over malpractices in the tests.
Although Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba termed the malpractices as “few”, the source said nothing is being left to chance to unearth cheats.
However, Dr Kipsang assured parents, teachers, and students that the integrity of the results was intact.
“It was the year that we put in place structures and systems to ensure the smooth running of exams and give our examiners adequate time to go through the exams and ensure each child receives the results that they have worked for the last four years. I can give my word that all has gone on very well,” added the PS.
Since 2016 when then Education Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i instituted examination reforms, the results have been released just a few days after the marking ends. Previous long delays were blamed for allowing for the manipulation of results.
Stakeholders in the education sector, led by the Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha), urged the Kenya National Examination Council to ensure fairness in the marking of the tests.
The Ministry of Education said it received reports of alleged cases of cheating and other malpractices during the 2024 KCSE examination including collusion, possession of unauthorised material, and possession of mobile phones.
“We want unbiased examination processes and minimizes external influence,” said Kenya Secondary Schools Heads Association (Kessha) officials led by the National Chairman Willy Kuria.
The principals further proposed the stoppage of school ranking which eliminates pressure to manipulate results.
The school administrators called for policy and administrative changes, particularly the call for the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) to stop promotions based on performance and to stop issuing principal’s letters due to poor performance.
“Change promotion criteria and focus on holistic student development. End political interference, shield exams from political agendas,” added Mr Kuria.
According to TSC guidelines promotions, teachers’ promotions are pegged on good performance thus motivating them to engage in malpractice to achieve a mean score that would earn them promotions.
